Satyagraha | Bollywood Film | Hindi Movie | Personal Reviews

Prakash Jha movies fall in – do watch – category for a large number of movie viewers, especially those who love movies on the current issues or looking for thought provoking or even thoughtful movies. However it is not easy to make such movies and take them to the audience (and even tougher is making audience like the movie and make it a commercial success). Prakash Jha did it successfully several times in past and now he came again with his latest creation – Satyagraha – the determination to stand for the truth. Here we present our personal views about this movie.

First of all there is a rumor that the movie is based on the famous – Anna Hazare – stuff, which almost initiated a kind of semi-revolution in India in recent past. The makers however don’t want any controversy which may disturb the movie release schedule; have denied it. The movie is definitely inspired from a lot of stuff from the real life incidents happened, and Anna Hazare movement is definitely a source of inspiration, but it is not a fully based on the same, for the matter of fact.

There can be no perfect nation, situation, system, public for the matter of fact. Like we daily need to clean up our home; we need to clean up the system, awake the public, change the situation, make better the nation.

We all know that, but usually buried under a lot of responsibility, became “used to” the situation, lost the courage to swim against the odds; remain waiting for someone to start the rebel and change the things for us.

There are a few who can stand for the Truth, can lead the people towards to path to claim their Rights. It is the story of one such man and his supporters and their clash with the people in power.

Dwarka Anand, a retired school teacher and a respected man, follows his idealistic path of life.

Manav Raghavendra is a good friend of Akhilesh. Akhilesh’ father Dwarka Anand is an idealistic man who believes that the greed is the reason of all the wrong doings. Businessmen wants extra profit, fast work, the government officials want extra income and so on. The greed not only affects the economy of the country but it also devalues the morals and ethics of people. Manav have clear funda of his life. To maximize each opportunity and earn the maximum. His target is to earn a billion in coming 10 years and he see India as the fastest growing market. He advise Akhilesh to live upto his qualifications and rather doing the government job, join with him and get the maximum he can. But Akhilesh’ dream was to do the job, do good stuff for nation via the same, and when get retired, open a school and teach children. This way he keep himself and his father both happy.

The clash of ideas between Manav and Dwarka Anand doesn’t affect the friendship between Manav and Akhilesh though. And thus Manav keeps respecting Dwarka Anand.

The title song’s is not effective, but it moves the story ahead. We are introduced to Yasmin, a lady reporter here. But, in disco party, you can’t find such songs.

A slab of the bridge being built under Akhilesh’ observation collapsed which lead to casualties of workers. However it was not his fault, he considers it as his moral responsibility. We see how politics works over such issues. We are also introduced to Arjun and Balram Singh amongst the others. Of course, Sumita, wife of Akhilesh also integral part of story.

We see Akhilesh met with a deadly accident and lost his life. Manav cancels all his work on hand and reaches there at the hospital. See Manoj Bajpai and Amitabh’s acting during their first meet at the funeral of Akhilesh and you will be fan of both. Minister Balram announces INR 25 lacs to Akhilesh’s family here. This is an important event to note as it leads to the revolution later. Also see how gracefully Dwarka Anand cares for Sumitra. See how Manav collapses in sorrows for his lost friend.

Manav and Yasmin meets on their way and we see emotional side of Manav here. Yasmin was stopped by the officials to meet the villagers who fought for a cause and stopped the traffic on highway. Here Manav helps her to go meet the protesters. The 25 lac rupees announced for Akhilesh by the minister, were decided to be used for a noble cause, a college, by Sumitra! What a genuine lady and entire family.

Sumitra here meets with the brutal reality of the system. She found that the money declared by the minister were not disbursed and the government offices do not work without bribing. Dwarka gets out of control with the officials and got prison by the police. Manav leaves no stone unturned get Dwarka out of jail. Arjun offered his help but Dwarka Anand refused it. Writing an apology note to the collector is also refused by Dwarka Anand as he know he didn’t done anything wrong by slapping the collector, who is also a responsible public servant whose responsibility also includes the proper functioning of system.

Manav tries convincing collector to take the complaint back but failed. He see that common people (or Aam Aadmi – Mango people) praise the gesture of Dwarka Anand. He then used his brain and run a campaign to get Dwarka Anand out of jail. He used youth and technology smartly. During one such event he met with Arjun Singh and they decide to do something which pressure the collector to do what they want.

Manav then seeks help of Yasmin. First she refuse but then after seeing the crowd gathered she finally decide to be part of the story by covering the same.

We know that Dwarka Anand did nothing wrong and he will be set free by the officials. It is interesting to see how the political equations move ahead. Also this is not just end of of the story. Actually revolution against the corruption and the system begins from here. Where it leads and what would be the fate of the leading characters is interesting to see on screen.

Amitabh used his eyes to show emotions effectively. His get up doesn’t change much since several movies. Ajay plays his role convincingly. Manoj Bajpai is a delight to watch. It is good to see Amitabh-Manoj together after Aks. Arjun Rampal is getting more and more good roles nowadays. Kareena looks graceful. Amrita Rao is fantastic performer. Overall nice acting by the cast. The movie is considered as director’s medium and Prakash is master of his job. The movie’s second half could have been better and the end could have been idealistic. But Prakash rather preferred to go the real way. It is the pro and con both for the movie. Some people will not like the end. The background music is good. However there is no need of the item song during the titles.

There is also a small love track between Manav and Yasmin. Which slows the pace for a while. The movie integrated the use of technology and social networks during the recent protest, rebels and revolutions very smartly. The dialogs are fantastic. It also weaved – Aap ka waqt shuru hota hai, ab (And, your time starts now), which is the famous one from – Kaun Banega Crorepati – TV show (again belongs to Mr. Bachchan), very intelligently. We love it. The modified version of – Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram – a famous bhajan which was loved by Late Gandhiji also (who is founder of the – Satyagraha – movement) a nice addition to the movie. Even the lines Kabira khada bazaar mein…. must be heard with attention.

Overall a movie which must be seen to know the system, the surrounding and wake up the soul.